Aaron Judge not added to 2026 ALDS roster
New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge will not be on the roster for the ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays due to a lingering calf injury. While he is eligible for the ALCS, the team is prioritizing his recovery to ensure he is fully fit for a potential World Series run.
Why it matters
The absence of a star player like Judge significantly impacts the competitive outlook for the Yankees in the MLB postseason.
ST. PETERSBURG -- Dressed in workout gear, Aaron Judge turned a corner at Tropicana Field on Friday afternoon, acknowledging his arriving Yankees teammates. The captain’s workday was already hours deep, and the slogan imprinted across his T-shirt said plenty: “No time like October.”
Judge has made his position clear -- he wants to be part of everything that transpires this month. However, Judge’s strained right calf has not healed enough for him to claim a spot on the 26-man roster for the Yankees' showdown against the Rays in the American League Division Series.
Judge is eligible to be added to the roster for a potential AL Championship Series, should the Yankees advance.
Also covering this story
One other newsroom covered this event. We read that version too.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in